Studio Brief 11: Flags: Brief and Research

Brief

Investigate and research flag design and use what you learn to teach others in some way. This could be through digital or printed means.

Research

I began by researching online what information there was on flag design and if there were any rules or regulations as to what is allowed. I instantly found this great TED talk that discussed the purpose of flags and how to make an effective flag.



The talk refers to a book called 'good flag, bad flag' which uses examples of flags to discuss how a good flag is designed. The book uses 5 principles:

1: Keep it simple

2. Use meaningful symbolism

3. Use 2-3 basic colours

4. No lettering or seals

5. Be distinctive or be related



A great example they use is the flag below which has many aspects of a good flag, but needs adjusting.

Applying these principles a designer has simplified the san francisco flag by taking away all the text and simplified all the shapes an detail to make a design that is much bolder.

One o my favourite examples of flag design is the simplification of the amsterdam seal and focusing on just the 3 xs.

This is referred to as the worlds worst flag due to everything about. The flag is distinctive, but has far too much detail and is quite confusing if it is trying to be symbolic. Ted Kaye puts it, “if you need to write the name of what you’re representing on your flag, your symbolism has failed.”

Here are the examples they give of good flag design. They all follow the principles, using simple, bold shapes and contrasting colours which make them quite memorable